| Customer | Environmental services provider |
| Sector | Container and tank cleaning |
| Industry | Industrial cleaning service |
Issue
IBC containers are standard containers commonly used in industry that need to undergo an elaborate and thorough cleaning process before being filled with highly sensitive substances such as car paint. The company uses a complex cleaning system in which the solvents used in the cleaning process are treated and disposed of in an environmentally friendly recycling process.
Challenge
Residues of paint, resin and adhesives are cleaned with volatile and flammable solvents according to generally accepted standards. However, use of these substances is associated with major risks and health risks for the company, the workforce and the environment. The requirements for handling these hazardous substances are extremely strict.
Analysis
The deposit build-up to be removed from the inside of the container consists of hardened paint residues, sometimes with several layers of residue on top of each other. They were removed in a semi-automated cleaning system using the solvent butyl acetate in a recycling procedure with brush cleaning. The resulting exhaust air was filtered off and solvent components were thoroughly removed by means of afterburning. Part of the butyl acetate used for cleaning was recovered by distillation and then disposed of.
Best advice
The cost drivers were unequivocally identified as the exhaust air systems and associated explosion protection measures. Thus, Caramba recommended switching to a water-based cleaning agent which has already achieved excellent results in the printing industry. The first laboratory tests were carried out at a temperature of 40°C. The same cleaning results were obtained on the dissolution system at 60°C using an aqueous solution of cleaning agent diluted 1:1, as with butyl acetate.
Caramba effect
Switching to Caramba Raster Clean as cleaning agent meant it was no longer necessary to use aromatic and aliphatic solvents for container cleaning. But this did not just result in a significant reduction in occupational health risks and environmental pollution. Changing to a water-based cleaning agent also yielded a 17.5% reduction in the annual cost of processing IBC containers.
» Caramba Raster Clean:
» Decreases the risk to employee health
» Minimises the risk of explosion and fire
» Lowers the costs of safety measures
» Minimises odour levels during use
Products used
Raster Clean
Highly alkaline cleaning concentrate specifically for cleaning industrial IBC containers and printing rollers
- Alternative to cleaning with solvents
- Removes adherent and dried-on paint as well as adhesive and resin deposits from IBC containers
- Removes stubborn ink residues on printing rollers (sleeves)
- Pleasant lemon scent
- Can be used to max. 80°C
- Environmentally friendly and easy to dispose of
- Economical use as highly concentrated
- pH value (conc.): 13.8
Area of application
Raster Clean removes paint, adhesives, resin and ink quickly and efficiently without using solvents. The concentrate is designed for use in the paint, adhesive and polymer industries as well as the printing industry.
Responsible person at Caramba
„By developing a water-based product, we were able to achieve a tremendous cost saving of 17.5%, which mainly results from eliminating the thermal afterburner system and the explosion protection measures. Another key plus point is that there is no longer an unpleasant odour from the solvents. Thus, in terms of cost-effectiveness, occupational safety and environmental protection, the process we developed together is a realistic alternative to cleaning with solvents.“
Do you have any questions?
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